The OCR module is an optional module that converts all images acquired by the agent as screenshots into tagged text for full-text searches.
NOTE: it supports only ASCII characters and left to right reading.
For all-in-one architecture, install the module on Master Node.
For distributed architecture, install the first OCR module on Shard to avoid increasing the Master Node work load.
OCR module operations are described below:
Phase | Description |
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1 |
Screenshot evidence images, awaiting conversion, are saved in a separate queue from evidence awaiting analysis. |
2 |
The OCR module read the image queue and converts it into text. This operation can last from one to 5-10 seconds according to the number of words to be acquired. |
3 |
Each image text is saved in the database and tagged as full-text. |
4 | Storage times and tags for the single image are saved in the module log. |
5 |
The text is made available to the Analyst in the page with the list of evidence for a search in the Info field and in the detailed evidence page. |
Each piece of screenshot evidence occupies more space in the database because it is always accompanied by its tagged text. The increase in space cannot be predicted since it depends on both the number of screenshots acquired from the agent and the number of words in each screenshot.
The OCR module occupies a lot of the CPU when converting a screenshot, but is run with a lower priority than other processes.
Thus the CPU load will only have an effect when the system shows the converted image text during evidence analysis.
For distributed architecture, it can be installed on Shard and not on the Master Node, already full of processes.
Check how long it takes for the text to be displayed in the single evidence detail and check the times recorded in the log when acquiring images. If these are deemed excessive and another server is free (i.e.: that housing another shard database or Master Node) install another OCR module.
This way the work load will be divided amongst all installed modules.
To install an OCR module in back end environment:
Steps | Result |
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1. Insert the CD with the installation package. Run file RCS-ocr-<version>.exe in folder x:\setup: the first wizard window appears. 2. Click Next. |
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3. Follow the steps below until installation has completed: the module will begin converting images the first time a screenshot type of evidence is received. |
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To check whether image conversion to text is too slow, check how long it takes for the button to appear in the evidence details page.
The OCR module can be uninstalled from the Windows Control Panel.
NOTE: uninstalling an OCR module does not compromise converted and tagged text.
RCS8.2 | User's and Installation Guide | © COPYRIGHT 2012